Better Off Unspoken Poem by JAMES T. ADAIR

She burst out crying
saying
There is nothing here for me
I watched her
and looked at her eyes
frozen
unable to speak a word
I felt my own heart hurting
because what she was saying
had something to do with me
That's unfair I said
I've never said that to you
And I never would
Didn't she realize I too had feelings?
I tried to determine her reason
And when I couldn't I excused myself
Feeling tears in my own eyes
Sometimes we bear much for someone
And learn later it doesn't mean much
Later she was washing dishes
Looking regretful
It was something someone else said
That reminded her of aging
Though feeling saddend
Knowing also there's much I haven't told her
I suddenly realized her sadness
I turned her toward me
Looked at her directly and hugged her
I gave her a big hug as I felt she needed
and kissed her on the forehead
Like I had my children
I realized it was the right thing
My sadness
Well I've carried that a long time
I'm used to it now
And neither does it matter
I realized something in me has changed
Some things are better off unspoken

James T. Adair 3/23/2010